Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou has warned that any attempt to undermine TRRC, a national healing process, “in any manner will bear serious consequences”.

The State has dropped charges against former Local Government Minister Yankuba Touray and former speaker Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay in the ongoing witness tampering trial of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission.

Touray and Ceesay were charged with an allegation of tampering with a witness before the Truth Commission. The two have reportedly called Alagie Kanyi, a witness before the Commission who confessed to 11 killings, and told him not to “mind” the TRRC.

Kanyi told the Commission the two called him prior to his appearance. They were then arrested and charged by Gambian police.

But the Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou told Journalists on Wednesday “all charges against them in respect of these offences have now been dropped”.

“Interfering with a TRRC witness is a very serious offence and I hope there are lessons here for everyone,” said Tambadou.

The two could have served up to 3 years in jail or fine GMD1 million or both upon conviction.

“I take this opportunity to renew my call for all witnesses or potential witnesses to cooperate fully with the TRRC,” added Tambadou.

Tambadou warned that any attempt to undermine TRRC, a national healing process, “in any manner will bear serious consequences”.

Touray has been accused of involvement in several atrocities including the killing of Gambia’s former finance minister Ousman Koro Ceesay.

Touray has been named in several rights violations and has already been invited by the Commission to testify at its public hearing.